Canadian Lands Abroad

Unlike the countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, and France, Canada did not lay claim to some of the numerous territories and islands in developing countries and the South Pacific - although it certainly was in the position to do so. Instead, Canada is mainly confined to one area - from coast to coast to coast.

Because of some gifts from other countries you can be "in Canada" outside North America. There is one other unique story that almost came to be concerning some islands in the Caribbean.

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Turks & Caicos

These two island groups in the North Atlantic Ocean, southeast of The Bahamas, several times have petitioned the federal government to become part of Canada. We turned them down! Read on for the full story.

National Historic Sites

For Canada's participation during World War I, France and Belgium have granted thirteen sites to Canada to recognize the many Canadians who gave their lives for our freedom.

France

Vimy Ridge National Historic Site, Pas de Calais, France marking the capture of Vimy Ridge by the Canadian Corps on April 9, 1917.
Beaumont-Hamel National Historic Site, Picardie, France marking the action of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment in the Battle of the Somme on July 1, 1916.
Bourlon Wood, France marking the crossing of the Canal du Nord, capture of Bourlon Wood and rupture of the final Hindenburg Line defences on september 27, 1918.
Courcelette, France marking the part played by the Canadian Corps in forcing back the German troops on the slopes of the Somme from September to November 1916.
Dury, France marking the capture of the Drocourt-Quéant Switch and the breaking of the Hindenburg Line on September 2, 1918, during the Second Battle of Arras.
Gueudecourt, France marking the action of the Newfoundland Forces in the Battle of the Somme on October 12, 1916.
Le Quesnel, France marking the attack by the Canadian Corps, 100 000 strong, on August 8, 1918, which drove the enemy back a distance of 15 kilometres.
Masnières, France marking the participation of the Newfoundland Forces in the Battle of Cambrai on November 20, 1917.
Monchy-le-Preux, France marking the Newfoundlanders participation in the Battle of Arras on April 14, 1917.

Belgium

Courtrai, Belgium marking the action of Newfoundland Forces in the battle of Lys in October 1918.
Hill 62, Belgium marking the part played by Canadian troops in the defence of the Ypres Salient, especially during the period April to August 1916.
Passchendaele, Belgium marking the capture of Crest Farm by the Canadian corps and the Battle of Passchendaele in October 1917.
St. Julien, Belgium marking the heroic stand of the First Canadian Division in the first gas attack at Ypres in 1915.

Canadian Embassies and Consulates

All Canadian embassies and consulates don't belong to Canada, but special privileges exist such that the host country may not enter the embassy or consulate without permission.